The National Wildlife Federation has certified its first Highland Park yard for its Backyard Wildlife Program. This program recognizes yards that help birds, butterflies, and other wildlife survive (even in urban areas) by providing food and shelter. The yard certified, like most in the program, has shrubs and trees that give birds berries and shelter, flowers that provide butterflies with nectar, a few food plants for butterfly larvae, a small water tray for bird baths and drinking, and bird feeders and houses. There are specimens of some 90 native plant species, and more than 35 bird species have visited at one time or another.

If you, too, would like to make your yard more supportive of native plants and wildlife, you can contact the National Wildlife Federation. They provide advice on how to go about it, whether you just do some small corner or a full yard. If you want to do something in this line, let us hear from you by a message to our own Highland Park Environmental web site. 10/03

Photo: Arnold Henderson